Cologne. With two mobile medical teams sent to the north-western part of Pakistan Malteser International joins efforts with the humanitarian community to provide medical care for the 2.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), many amongst them women and children. "The flow of IDPs does not come to a halt", reports Dr. Branko Dubajic, Malteser International country health coordinator in Pakistan.

"Displaced people are not only exposed to the ongoing fighting, but also to extreme weather conditions: above 40 degree Celsius during the day and around 0 degree Celsius in the night. Hunger, thirst, diseases and exhaustion aggravate their condition. Some of them have already been trying to escape from the fighting for about one year now."

Most of the displaced have fled their homes in the northwest close to the border with Afghanistan. More than a month ago, the Pakistani army launched an offensive to expel Taliban militants occupying the area. 80% of the former residents of this region found shelter in neighbouring host communities. Additionally, displaced persons' camps were installed. In those camps as well as in the host communities, sanitary and medical facilities are not sufficient for the high and continuously increasing number of people.

"With regard to the prevailing temperatures, facilities need to be improved quickly in order to avoid epidemics and the outbreak of water-borne or communicable diseases.", explains Dr. Dubajic. Malteser International puts a focus on the medical care for pregnant and breast-feeding women and young children as they are particularly vulnerable. 70% of the capacities will be dedicated to those target groups.

The medical teams consisting of doctors and midwives will work together with 27 teams that are already working on the ground. They are equipped with drugs and medical equipment for smaller operations. They will also take part in immunisation campaigns and similar health projects. It is also planned to support the registration of malnourished and dehydrated persons.

Join our network of relief and donate: Donation Account 2020122; Pax-Bank Koeln, von-Werth-Str. 25-27, D-50670 Koeln, Germany, Sort Code : 370 60 193; IBAN : DE93 3706 0193 0002 0201 22; BIC: GENODED1PAX Reference : "Pakistan"

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Malteser International is the worldwide relief agency of the Sovereign Order of Malta for humanitarian aid. The organisation provides aid in about 200 projects in more than 20 countries without distinction of religion, race or political persuasion. Christian values and the humanitarian principles of impartiality and independence are the foundation of its work. For further information: www.malteser-international.org and www.orderofmalta.org